www.businessspectator.com.au
30 Apr 2012
Thai energy company Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Plc is planning to invest US$600 million (A$572 million) in new wind turbine plants in Australia, tripling its local wind-power output to 300 MWs. The expansion by Ratchaburi's subsidiary, Ratch-Australia Corporation, is aimed at staying in step with Australia's future energy policies, Ratchaburi Electricity chief executive Noppol Milinthanggoon said. The planned investment comes as Ratchaburi Electricity is moving to complete a $US813 million acquisition of Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund in raising its stake to 80% by June 2012.
Noppol said Ratchaburi Electricity is to invest a further $US30.5 million in Ratch-Australia to meet the 80% target from a current stake of 68%. A spokesperson for the company said the Australian offshoot will lead the expansion as part of the company's offshore investment plans. Ratch-Australia operates three wind power plants in Victoria at Starfish Hill, Toora and Windy Hill.
The Toora operation has 12 turbines with a production capacity of 1.75 MWs, meeting the power needs of 6600 families. "We have a goal to invest in at least three wind power projects with a total production volume of 200 MWs from an existing 100 MW capacity", Noppol said. He said the company was also looking to overhaul and expand the production capacity at Ratch-Australia's existing plants. Ratch-Australia Corporation currently oversees three natural gas power plants, two coal power plants and three wind power plants with a total production capacity of 1,126 MWs. The company says it has firm agreements covering 90% of the generated electricity to be purchased under contract over the next 11 years.
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